Virulence genes of new population of coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix) affecting coffee variety 'Lempira', in Honduras; resistant and susceptible varieties.

Abstract The coffee variety 'Lempira', released in Honduras in 1998, was classified 100% resistant to races I and II of coffee rust identified by Portugal's Centre for Research into Coffee Rusts (Centro de Investigação das Ferrugens do Cafeeiro) (CIFC) in 1997. However, since 2007, the disease has been reported in seed foundation plots and producer farms, the most recent epidemic report being in April 2016 in Vegas de Jalan, Juticalpa Olancho, affecting 210 ha. Since this variety constitutes 45% of the cultivated area under coffee in the country, there is a need to identify the virulence genes of the new strain and to determine the resistance and susceptibility of other cultivated varieties. For these purposes, mass samples of rust were inoculated on leaf discs of the differential clones 1343/269, 110/5, 147/1, 152/3, 33/1, 419/20, 832/1 and 832/2, together with 87/1, 1006/10, 420/10 and 420/2 from the Federal University of Vicosa, as well as on the two main cultivated resistant varieties ('Parainema' and 'IHCAFE- 90'), and seven promising genotypes, under controlled temperature conditions and relative humidity. After 20-60 days of inoculation, seven virulence genes were identified (v1, v2, v4, v5, v6, v7, v9), of which v1, v4, v6, v7 and v9 had not been reported in Honduras previously. It is inferred that this rust population arose by recombination of race v5 with v6, v7 or v9. Races with 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 virulence determinants were identified as the most complex and aggressive strains described but they lacked the v3 and v8 determinants. In addition, it was found that 'Parainema', 'H27', 'T5296-170', 'Central American', 'Pacamara yellow' and 'Anacafe-14' are resistant because they possess the SH8 gene, absent from 'Lempira'. 'IHCAFE-90' and 'Obatá' showed 20% susceptibility, and 'Ruiru 11' was susceptible. The results reveal the diversity of rust virulence genes in Honduras and emphasize the importance of the SH3 and SH8 genes as sources of resistance.